Fluid segregatob



March 4, 1941. D. SAMIRAN Re. 21,741

' FLUID SEGREGATOR Original Filed March 12, 1930 4'Sheets-Sheet 1 J/TGJ.

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FLUID SEGREGATOR Original Filed March 12,1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 IN VENTOR.

March 4, 1941. D. SAMIRAN FLUID SEGREGATOH Original Filed March 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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Reissued Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE and mesne assignments, to Tokheim Oil Tank and Pump Company, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Original No. 1,948,543, dated February 27, 1934, Serial No. 435,243, March 12, 1930. Application for reissue August 9, 1939, Serial No. 289,327

26 Claims.- (01. 210-54) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 157) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon to the owner of the patent.

5 This invention relates to the class of fluid segregators for the automatic isolation of fluids of different specific gravities and more particularly to force-feed fluid systems in which a. separation of nonmiscible fluids of difierent specific gravities is effected and is especially adapted to .fluid supply systems in which the supply tank is practically inaccessible and in which the fluid is fed from the source of supply by suction impelling means.

It is well-known that while normally certain fluids of different specific gravities such as water and oil or water and gasoline are not miscible, these fluids when agitated will form an emulsion or a mixture that is not readily separable. When 30 such non-miscible fluids are present in a forcefeed fluid system and the tank is inaccessible to permit of a gravitational segregation of the fluid of heavier specific gravity that has settled to the bottom thereof, and it is desirable to isolate these -15 fluids from each other, it will be apparent that such isolation must take place before passing through the pump or other suitable impellingmeans for the mechanical action of the latter tends to emulsify the components which there- 30 after have no opportunity to separate before reaching the point of delivery, due to the velocity of their passage through the delivery pipes.

' To this end applicants invention has for its objects to provide a fluid supply system in which 35 a fluid segregator is interposed between and cooperates with the source of fluid supply and pump to automatically eifect the separation of the undesirable components from the fluid prior to its discharge through the pump and immediately after it leaves the source of supply; to provide in a segregator system for the isolation of I fluids of different specific gravities having a suction feed, means whereby the vacuum established in the segregator by said feed means is 45 maintained to permit flow. of fluid from the source of supply when the feed means is in operation, and means whereby the vacuum is .destroyed when the feed means is not in operation to efiect an intermittent segregation of said 50 fluids; to provide in a segregator system'having a segregator provided with a float operated needle valve, means for cooperating with said valve to control the flow of fluids into and out of the float chamber; to provide in said segregator sys- 55 tem means for cooperating with said suction feed means to control the flow of the lighter component from said'segregator; and to provide in a segregator system, means whereby a large quantity of the fluid of heavier specific gravity is accumulated and segregated in a single discharge.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a segregator, an auxiliary or settling chamber having metering means to meter the quantity of fluid passing from said chamber to the float chamber so that a maximum quantity of fluid of heavier specific gravity may be accumulated in said auxiliary chamber and segregated by said segregator in a single discharge;

Still other objects of the invention are to provide in a fluid supply system, and particularly in a gasoline dispensing system, means for segregating fluid of heavier specific gravity, preferably Water, from fluid of lighter specific gravity, such as gasoline or other petroleum product fuel, and to provide means automatically actuated by a rise and/ or fall in the level of liquid of heavier specific gravity for automatically discharging fluid of heavier specific .gravity, and/or for stopping the fluid-forcing pump, and/or for closing communication in the liquid dispensing line between the pump and the discharge registry the delivery end of the line, and/or for againv automatically closing the discharge valve for stopping the discharge of the heavier fluid from the segregator, and/or for restarting the motor.

The foregoing features and others not heretofore mentioned are hereinafter described and claimed and are illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic view of a manually operated fuel dispensing system showing an automatic fluid segregator interposed between and forminga part of the fuel feed line,

segregation of the heavier fluids from the lighter Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a further embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line plate being broken away so as to show certain features that would otherwise be covered from .view;

' Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken on the.

line Il-H of Fig, 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional partial view taken on the line I'2-l2 of Fig. 5 and showing the follower and lifting member;

Fig. 13 represents a diagrammatic view of an improved fluid feed system including a segregator that is provided with a settling chamber and improved link mechanism for controlling the bleeder valve;

I Fig. 14 represents a diagrammatic view of the operation of the segregator shown in Fig. 13-

showing the fluids of heavier specific gravity being accumulated in the settling or auxiliary chamber while the fluid of lighter specific gravity is being suction fed to the dispenser Fig. 15 represents a diagrammatic view of the operation of the segregator showing the fluids of heavier specific gravity to have accumulated in the auxiliary and float chambers to a predetermined position therein, the upper valve closed to cut ofl the suction feed and the lower needle and suction valves open to permit the simultaneous segregation of the heavier fluids from both chambers;

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the stand pipe construction; and

Fig. 17 represents a wiring diagram of the circuit shown in Fig. 13.

In illustrating a preferred embodiment, my invention is shown in connection with a gasoline fluid dispensing system in which the suction feed of the fluid from the source of supply is accomplished either manually, as shown in Fig. 1, or

by power means, as shown in Fig. 2. The system comprises a source 01' supply of gasoline that is located, as is the general custom, in an underground tank, a fluid segregator adapted to segregate fluids of heavier specific gravity from a fluid of lighter specific gravity, and a suction pump which may form a part of the discharge register, the segregator being interposed between the source of supply, preferably adjacent thereto, and the suction pump, and being adapted to receive the fluid to segregate the undesirable components prior to its being,pumped to the discharge register.

The segregator mechanism is adapted to automatically segregate the undesirable components and embodies controlling means to automatically con rol the flow of fluid into and out of the segregator from the gasoline. When the suction feed is power actuated, the control means is further adapted to automatically control the operation of the suction device.

In the power actuated suction feed illustrated in Fig. 2 and described herein, a combination of valve means and electrical means is utilized, the valve means cooperating with the suction device to create a vacuum whereby a flow of fluid through the segregator mechanism is established and to destroy the vacuum when a predetermined quantity of undesirable component or components such as water in the dispensing of gasoline has accumulated, to permit the automatic'segregation thereof. It is to be understood, how-vv ever, that the invention is not limited to suction actuated valve means for the establishment of the fluid flow through the segregator.

The improved segregator illustrated, in connection with which the control means is particularly described, embodies the principles disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,700,811 granted to me February 5, 1929, and includes a float chamber I, a float I2 disposed within said chamber, a needle valve member l4 controlled by the float, and a housing I6 disposed within the float chamber for completely partitioning the float and valve mechanism within the float chamber.

The control means, according to the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, is disposed within a housing I8 and comprises a suction valve unit I02 that is suction actuated to atmospherically seal the float chamber, an air-bleed or by-pass 22 leading from the housing I8 to the upper portion of the float chamber ID, a bleeder valve 24 and link mechanism 28 actuated by the float operated needle valve member l4, the link mechanism being adapted to actuate the bleeder valve 24 which in turn controls a switch 28.

According to the design shown, the float I2, which is slidably mounted on a guide 52' for the needle valve member I4, is constructed of two cylindrical sections 30, 32 having their open ends jointed together by telescoping the flange 34 formed on the upper edge of the cylinder section 30 within the cylinder section 32 and welding their abutting edges. The float I2 is ballasted, as shown in Fig. 13, by a liquid ballast in substantially the identical manner disclosed in my above referred to patent. The stand pipes 35 which are alike in construction (see Fig. 3) are, however, positioned at the upper end of the float instead of at the bottom, as disclosed in my above referred .to patent. The upper portion of each stand pipe is provided with a flange 38 (Fig. 16) that is secured in a suitable manner, such as by welding, to the upper wall 40 of the float chamber and has an annular groove 42 for a purpose hereinafter described. The stand pipe is interiorly threaded to receive a complementary threaded plug 44 for sealing the float after being ballasted.

The needle valve assembly comprises an upper needle valve 46 (Figure 3) cooperating with a valve seat member 48 to control the float chamber outlet for the lighter fluid, a lower needle valve 50 cooperating with a valve seat member 52 to control the float chamber outlet or discharge opening for the heavier fluid, and an adjustable needle valve stem 56. The valve seat member 52 is threaded within a threaded end or nipple 54 of the valve guide 52. The valve guide 52' comprises, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, an upstanding, reduced, tubular part enlarged at its lower end to form the internally and externally threaded end or nipple 54, the nipple 54 being threaded into an upstanding, internally threaded pipe flange of the housing I 8. The float has a limited floating vertical movement relative to said needle valve assembly, which floating action iseflected by providing the needle valve stem 56 with a slot 58 (Figs. 3 and 8) to loosely receive a pin 65 that is secured to a collar 52. The collar 62 is secured to the upper projecting end of a float sleeve 64 which extends centrally of the float and is secured to the upper and lower centrally apertured walls of the float I2. The needle valve assembly is yieldingly secured to the float by means of coil springs 66, 68, the outer ends of which are secured within the annular grooves 42' of the stand pipes 36 and the inner ends of which are attached to an adjustable member 10 that is disposed at right angles to an upper enlarged part 18 of the needle valve stem 56 and threaded therein to permit a lateral adjustment of the needle valve assembly to center the same relative to the float.

A. characteristic novel feature of the valve assembly is that it is provided with means to permit the upper valve 46 to be properly seated in the valve seat 48. This feature, according to the illustrated embodiment shown in Fig. 8, is made possible by forming the valve as a hollow cone which is received within and loosely connected by means of a pin 14 to the circular flange l6 projecting upwardly from the upper valve stem part 18. According to this arrangement, slight misalignment of the outlet valve seat 48 and discharge valve seat 52 can be encountered and still effect a proper seating of the valves 46, 50, respectively, since they are relatively movable with respect to each other and to the float. With this arrangement a proper seating of the upper valve will be insured when the difference in the speciflc gravity of the tioned above and supported in the float chamber in spaced relation to the float, and is amazed to the outlet pipe 84 in such a manner as to deflect the incoming fluids towards the walls of the float chamber. This deflector B2 is constructed'to provide an inner annular flange 66 and an outer annular flange 8. The inner flange forms a guide for a collar 90 that issecured to a sieve 92, while the outer flange projects substantially below the inner flange and forms a passage with the wall of the float chamber whereby the deflected incoming fluids are directed towards the bottom of the chamber and away from the sieve. A lower deflector 94 is arranged in the float chamber in spaced relation to the float and is supported by means of an annular shoulder formed on the nipple 54 of the needle valve guide 52', the part of the nipple above the annular shoulder slidably receiving an annular flange 56' that is centrally disposed and formed at the bottom of the deflector 84. The sieve is'fixedly secured at one end to an upwardly presented flange 96 of the deflector 84 and at its other end to the collar 90 which, as heretofore stated, is slidably received within the flange guide of the deflector 82. In order to insure a close contact between the upper edge of the collar and the deflector 82, the bottom deflector 9.4 is arranged to be yieldingly urged upwardly. This is accomplished by interposing a pair of flat springs 98 between the deflector and the bottom wall of the float chamber.

tached has been unbolted from the float chamber.

Since, as hereinbefore stated, it is desirable to segregate the heavier fluids from the lighter fluids, after thefluids leave the supply tank and before entering the suction pump, the segregator which is apart of the suction line must be airtight to permit the pumping of the fluid from the source of supply. Accordingly, the invention includes means for this purpose, said means, as shown, comprising the valve unit I02 secured to the housing I8. This valve unit is constructed to readily respond to the reduced pressure, effected within the float chamber when the suction pump is inoperation, to atmospherically seal the segregator, thus producing an air-tight suction line, and is also provided with means to assist in breaking the vacuum in the float chamber when the suction pump is inoperative or when the suction produced by the pump is cut oil to permit the segregation of an accumulation of the fluids of heavier specific gravity. As best shown in Fig. 4, the valve unit comprises a valve member having a bowl-shaped valve head I04 made of relatively light sheet metal and a valve stem- I06 that is integral with the valve head. This valve is slidable within a relatively heavy plunger I08 and is provided with a stop such as a cotter pin I I0 that passes through an opening in the valve stem and rests against the face of an adjusting nut II2 which serves as a stop for the plunger I08. The plunger I08 is slidable within a bearing I I4 made integral with the valve seat member H6. The plunger is also provided with a lower flange II8 which serves as a stop to limit its upward movement and is disposed in spaced relation to the valve head and hearing when the valve is in the open position. It will thus be seen that when the valve is in the open position, the suction pump will produce only a slight reduction of pressure in the float chamber, but inasmuch as the valve member is relatively light, it will require only a small pressure drop in the float chamber to effect an upward movement thereof. As the valve member, however, moves upward to close the valve, it engages with the plunger, the valve opening becomes more and more restricted, and the pressure drop is consequently increased to cause the plunger to be carried upward by the suction actuated valve member. The valve and plunger member will remain in the upward position as long as fluid is being sucked from the source of supply. When, however, the suction produced by the pump ceases, either by reason of the pump being inoperative or because of the suction being cut oil by the upper float operated valve 46, the

valve and plunger members will tend to be restored by gravity to their lower positions whence any fluid of heavier specific gravity accumulatedin the float chamber and housing will automatically be segregated.

Since the destroying of the vacuum in the float chamber is dependent to a large extent upon air seepage through the valve I02, which air must pass through and displace respectively the fluids in the float chamber, and also because the rate of opening of the valve is more or less dependent upon the speed with which the vacuum is destroyed, it will be seen that the segregation of the fluids under the conditions so far described is relatively slow. To increase the rate of vacuum reduction in the float chamber and, consequently, obtain a more rapid segregation of the fluids of heavier specific gravity, means is provided to bypass the air flow to the top of the float chamber as it enters the housing I8. Accordingly. the pipe 22 heretofore mentioned serves as an air passage and is suitably connected at its lower end to the housing I8 and at its upper end to a hollow fixture or coupling I20 that is bolted to and has a common opening with the top of the float chamber. The upper end of the pipe 22 is provided with a suitable check valve I22 to prevent the loss through the pipe and valve of the overflowing fluid in the register, which fluid is normally returned to the supply tank I24. As shown in Fig. 3, according to my invention, this check valve I22 is of the floating type and is slidably supported in a bearing in the open end of the tube and is adapted to float in the fluid of lighter specific gravity.

It will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art that according to the design illustrated, as long as there is no accumulation of fluids of heavier specific gravity, the lighter fluids can be suction fed to the register without interruption. When, however, a predetermined quantity of the heavier fluids have accumulated in the float chamber, the upper valve member 46 will be floated into its valve seated position and the suction feed to the register will be temporarily discontinued. It is, of course desirable, especially when the fluid is being dispensed from the register, to have the period of the temporary interruption as short as possible. To this end, I have provided means to further increase the rate of vacuum reduction in the float chamber and, consequently, cause a more rapid segregation of the heavier fluids. This means comprises an air bleed 24, referred to above, that is controlled by the float operated valve mechanism through link mechanism 26 to which it is operatively connected. The air bleed, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, consists of perforations or ports I26 formed in the upper wall of the casing I28 which forms a part of or is attached to the housing I 8. These perforations are opened or closed through a valve member I30, the head of which is seated on the boss I82 formed integral with the casing and encloses the perforations; and the stem of which is slidably guided in the bearing I 34 and has its end resting in a notch I88 formed on a lifting member I38 that is fixedly secured to a follower I40. This lifting member is pivoted by means of trunnions I42 resting in bearings I44 that are adjustable to centralize the member and follower. The follower has spaced apart arms I56 (Fig. 9) to receive a plunger I46. The lifting member, oppositely to its point of connection to the follower, is threaded to receive a balancing counter weight I48. The plunger I46 is detachably secured to and projects downwardly from the needle valve 50 (see Fig. 4). The lower portion of this plunger has threaded thereon stop members I50 and I52 which are spaced to provide a lost motion connection between the plunger and the follower. These stop members are spaced a distance substantially the same as the distance between the upper valve seat 48 and the normal floating position of the upper valve 46. It will thus be seen that the follower is given but a slight up or down movement as the upper needle valve and lower needle valve approach their respective valve seats and that the bleeder valve will be correspondingly lifted out .of or seated in the notch of the lifting member, the bleeder valve member I30 being yieldingly held in place by means of a flat spring I54 that has one end bearing on the valve head and its other end attached to the casing.

The plunger I46, which is removable with the float operated valve mechanism, is. readily operatively connected to and detached from the follower arms I56 (Fig. 9) which are made of spring material and are sprung outwardly by the stop I 50' as it passes between them. This springing action is facilitated by flaring the upper and lower edges of the arms I56 outwardly and by tapering the sides of stop I50 to form a wedge that is V-shaped in cross section. A plate I58 is disposed within the housing I8 and is provided with an opening to receive and limit the upward and downward movement of the follower when .the plunger is disconnected therefrom or connected therewith.

The suction pump I60 as shown in Fig. 13 is actuated by an electric motor I62 which is automatically controlled to stop the pumping action when the upper valve member 46 is in closed positionand to start the pumping action when the lower valve member 50 is in closed position. This is accomplished by means of the link mechanism heretofore described. While this mechanism is adapted to control the bleeder valve, it also serves to actuate through the bleeder valve member a switch that controls the operation of the suction 26 is constructed as a separate assembly and housed in such a manner as not to be exposed to gasoline vapors, thus avoiding fire hazards.

The switch mechanism is disposed within a housing I64 that is made of two parts, a back plate I66 and a front plate I68, the front plate being clamped by means of a clamp nut I10 to the back plate which in turn is bolted to the housing I8. The back plate is provided with a bearing I12 to receive a rocker shaft I14 which has one end projecting into the housing and its other end propecting outside thereof. The outer end of the rocker shaft is secured to an operating arm I15 (Figure 6) extending over the valve member I 30 and under the spring I54,'and the inner end of this shaft has secured thereto a contact arm I16 that is provided with contacts I18 and I on opposite faces. The arm I16 is therefore yieldingly urged downwardly by the spring I64 to move the contact I80 into engagement with contact I82 as the lower needle valve 50 is closed. This completes the electric circuit to energize an electromagnet I84 (Figure 1'1) which in turn throws in the control switch I 86 tov start the motor I62 when the main switch is closed. On the other hand the contact arm I16 is forced upwardly by the link mechanism through the bleeder valve member I30 to move the contact I 18 into engagement with the contact I88 when the lower valve 60 is open and the upper valve 46 is closed. Movement of the contact I80 upwardly and away from the contact I82 will have no effect upon the control switch I86 until contact I 18 engages contact I88 for the switch I86 is of the unbiased type and therefore remains in the position to which it was last moved until an external operating force is applied to move it in the opposite direction. When the contact I18 engages when contact is made with one contact or the other that the control switch is correspondingly thrown in or out. The contacts I82 and I88 being spaced, it will be seen that the contact arm I18 is permitted to have a movement corresponding with the movement 'of the needle valve mem ber I4 and that the control switch I88 is respectively thrown in or out when the needle valve assembly is in its lowermost position to close the valve 50 or in its upper position to close the valve 48.

For purposes of explaining the operation of this segregator, it will be assumed that the suction control valve 48 is open, the discharge valve 50 is closed; the bleeder valve 24 is closed; the suction responsive valve I02 is open; and the check valve I22 is open. Since the bleeder valve 24 is closed, the contact I80 is in engagement with the contact I82. Hence, when the main switch I89 (Figure 17) is closed, the circuit is completed to the starting magnet I84 and hence the motor is energized and a dispensing operation initiated. The pump driven by the motor creates a suction pressure in the pipe 84 which, communicated through the opening 48, efiects a reduction of pressure in the float chamber I and hence in the feed pipe I98 through the coupling I20 by which this ted pipe is connected to the top of the float chamber. open, any air within the housing I8 is withdrawn through the pipe 22, thereby creating a suction pressure in this housing I8 to efiect a closing of the suction sealing valve I02. .7

. Fluid is thereby sucked from the underground tank I24 through the feed pipe I98 into the float chamber I0 in which the fluid of greater specific gravity settles from the fluid of lighter specific gravity, and the fluid of lighter specific gravity is withdrawn through the opening 48 and the pipe 84 into .the suction side of the pump by which it is forced through the dispensing line. As the fluid passes through the coupling I20, the valve I22 is forced to closed position. Upon accumulation of the fluid of heavier specific gravity to a predetermined level in the float chamber, the valve 48 closes the opening 48, thereby preventing further flow of fluid to the suction 'side of the pump and cutting ofi the source of suction from the float chamber.

As the valve 48 closes the opening 48, the valve 50 opens the discharge opening of valve seat member 52 and the fluid of heavier specific gravity passes into the housing I 8. As. the valve 48 closes, the valve rod also actuates the bleeder valve 24 to efl'ect a rapid destruction'of the vacuum pressure in the housing I8, thereby effecting a rapid opening of the valve 20 which thereupon allows the fluid of heavier specific gravity to be discharged from the float chamber I0 through the housing 7 I8. When the bleeder valve is moved to open position, the contact I18 is brought into engagement withthe contact I88 to completethe cirsuit to the electromagnet I84 which thereupon breaks the motor circuit to stop the pump.

When the fluid of heavier specific gravity has been discharged to a predetermined lower level within the chamber, the valve 50 is moved -to closed positiori to prevent further discharge of this fluid, and the valve 48 is moved to open position, connecting the pipe 84 to the interior of the float chamber. As the valve 50 moves to closed position, the bleeder valve 24 is closed and the contact I80 is brought into engagement with the contact I82 to complete the circuit to the eleotromagnet I84, which thereupon moves The valve I 22 being at this instant' ity flows to the suction pump so that the dispensing operation is resumed.

A modification of my invention is shown in Fig. 13 in which the fluid segregating system is provided with a segregator that is similar to the segregatorabove described, but in addition thereto embodies means to permit the accumulation and segregation of a relatively large quantity of the fluids of heavier specific gravity, and also embodies a modification of'the link mechanism for operating the bleeder valve.

This segregator comprises an upper chamber I88 and a lower chamber I90. 7 The upper chamber serves as a settling chamber to reduce the velocity of the. incoming fluids, thereby permitting the natural separation of the heavier component from the lighter component and also serves in connection with a standpipe I82 that extends to nearly the top of the upper chamber and interconnects the same with the lower chamber, to permit an accumulation of the heavier fluids. A series of small openings I84 is provided in the partition I88, and also at the bottom of the standpipe, the aggregate open area of which is of such magnitude that in the event the fluids entering the upper chamber I88 through the pipe I88 be oftheheavier component, when the suction flow commences, the heavier fluid will have accumulated up to substantially the top of the standpipe when the ac cumulation of the heavier fluid is of a predetermined quantity in the float or lower chamber. The size or the number of these openings is also dependent uponthe size of the discharge valve opening, since, as heretofore described, it is desirable to segregate the accumulated heavier fluids both in the float chamber and in the settling or auxiliary chamber in a single discharge. Re-

ferring to the drawings, Fig. 14 diagrammatically illustrates that when the valve I02 ismaintained in its closed position, the inflowing heavier fluids are being accumulated in the upp r and lower chambers, and Fig. illustrates that it is possible, in accordance with the design disclosed, for the heavier fluid to have accumulated upto nearly the top of the standpipe in the settling chamber when enough of the heavier fluid has accumulated in the float chamber to cause the upper valve 48 to shut off the suction flow and the lower valve 50 to open the float chamber ID to the housing I8. The suction valve I02.,is therefore no longer maintained in the closed position, and the segregation of the heavier fluids can take place from both chambers simultanestrained against pivotal movement by reason of the stem of the bleeder valve member I30 being seated in the notch of the lifting member 204. The plunger rod 200 (Figure 13) is made integral'with the needle valve and in its downward position bears lightly on the head of a threaded member 206 (Figures 5 and 13) that is carried by the follower and is vertically adjustable in alignment with the plunger to adjust the relative normal positions of the needle valve and follower. The other end of the follower is provided with a counter weight 208 that is adjusted to makethe follower slightly off balance to follow the needle valve in its upward movement and to exert enough pressure to liftthe valve member I30 against the spring I54. The lifting member is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed notches 2I0 (Figure 5) on each of its sides to receive the arms 2I2 (Fig. 12) of the follower. The sides of the notches are normally equally spaced from the portions of the follower arms received in the notches. Spacing of the arms and notches provides a lost motion connection between the follower and lifting member to allow the follower to move with the needle valve until the upper valve is about closed, whence the arms contact with and rotate the lifting member, which in turn opens the bleeder valve member I30 for the purpose above-dc scribed.

The modification shown in Fig. Badditionally embodies a change in the position of the suction responsive valve and in the construction of the plunger rod of the link mechanism. In this view the valve member is similar to and adapted to function in substantially the manner described with respect to the valve member I04 shown in Fig. 4. This valve member, however, is slidably supported in a bearing 2 made integral with the bottom ,wall of the casing 2I6 and is adapted to be seated in a valve seat 2I8 formed therein. As a further means of returnthe valve to its open position, the valve stem 22Il is made of such dimension and is so positioned with respect to the follower that it will force this valve down at substantially the same time that it opens the bleeder valve member I30. The counter weight 208 can be adjusted to give the follower the added pressure required for this purpose.

In this embodiment the link mechanism is similar to the link mechanism disclosed in Fig. 13 except that the plunger does not form a part of the needle valve but is arranged in contactual relation therewith. This plunger is supported between the needle valve 222 and follower 202 and is adapted to slide verticallyin a, tubular guide 224 that is fixedly secured to the threaded member 226. The plunger, guide, and member are aiflxed to the nipple 54 as a unitary assembly by means of a threaded connection, the member 226 being provided with a flange 228 to limit the upward movement of the assembly. According to this design the housing 230, by-pass tube 22 and link mechanism provide an assembly that could readily be applied to the segregator disclosed in my earlier patent, above referred to, when it is desired to usethe same in a fluid suction feed system.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a segregator mechanism comprising a chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber to control one of said ports, and means completely enclosing said float operated valve mechanism and spaced substantially entirely from the walls of said chamber, said means comprising an upper deflector, a lower deflector, and a sieve interposed between said upper and lower deflectors.

2. In a segregator mechanism comprising a chamber having inlet and outlet ports, the inlet port being disposed in the upper portion of the chamber, a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber to control one of said ports and means completely enclosing said float operated valve mechanism and spaced substantially entirely from the walls of said chamber, said means comprising an upper deflector, a lower deflector and a sieve interposed between said a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber to control one of said ports and means completely enclosingsaid float operated valve mechanism and spaced substantially entirely from the walls of said chamber, said means including an upper deflector, a lower deflector. and a sieve interposed between said upper and lower deflectors, said lower deflector forming with the bottom of said chamber a sump for the accumulation of foreign matter.

4. The combination with a segregator having a mechanism adapted tosegregate non-miscible liquids .of diiferent specific gravities flowin through the segregator from a source of supply, said mechanism including a segregating chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a. first outlet for the heavier liquid, and a second outlet for the lighter liquid, a valve in the flrst outlet through which the heavier liquid is discharged, means operated by the heavier segregated liquid as the level thereof in said chamber varies for opening and closing said valve, suction means in communication with said segregating chamber through the second outlet for withdrawing the liquid of lighter specific gravity from the segregating chamber, an air inlet into the segregatingchamber, valve means in said air inlet constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when the suction means is operative, and to automatically move to open position when the suction means is inoperative.

5. In a segregator having a. liquid receiving chamber for eifecting a gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator from a source of supply, saidliquid chamber having an inlet,

a first outlet for the heavier liquids, and a second outlet for the lighter liquids, a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber and controlling the first outlet, suction means in communication with said liquid chamber through V the second outlet for withdrawing the liquid of is operative and to automatically move to open position by the agent of gravity when the suction means is inoperative to admit air into the chamber and tocause discharging of the liquid of heavier specific gravity through said passage from the first outlet when the float operated valve mechanism opens the first outlet.

6. A segregator having a liquid receiving chamber for effecting a gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator'from the source of supply, said chamber having an inlet for. non-miscible liquids, afirst outlet for the heavier liquids, a second outlet i'or thelighter liquids, a valve in the first outlet for controlling the discharge of heavier liquids fromthe chamber, a float disposed within said chamber for response to the level of heavier liquid segregated within said chamber, suction means in communication with said chamber through the secondoutlet for withdrawing the liquid of lighter specific gravity from the chamber, an air inlet into said chamber, valve means controlling said-air inlet and responsive to, the suction pressure within said chamber, said valve means being constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when the suction means is operative and to automatically move to open position when the suction means is inoperative, an auxiliary air inlet into said segregating chamber and means including a valve in said auxiliary air inlet and a control element operatively connected I to said float for opening and closing. said auxiliary air inlet as the level of the heavier segregated liquid in said segregator chamber varies whereby to accelerate the breaking of said suction pressure when the float occupies a predetermined position in said chamber.

7. In a segregator having a liquid receiving chamber for effecting the gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator from a sourceof supply, said chamber-having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet i'orthe heavier liquids, a second outlet for the lighter liquids, a valve in the first outlet for controlling the discharge of the heavier liquid from said chamber, a float disposed within said chamber and operatively connected to said valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve in response to the level of the liquid of heavier specific gravity segregated in said chamber, suction means in communication with said chamber through the second outlet for withdrawing the liquid of .lighter specific gravity from the segregator, means for admitting air into said chamber, said means including an air passage a, liquid chamber for effecting the gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities-flowing through the segregator from a source of supply, said chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet for the heavier liquid and a second outlet for the lighter liquid, a valve in the first outlet for controlling the discharge of heavier liquid from said chamber, suction means connected to said chamber through the second outlet for establishing the liquid flow through said chamber, an air inlet into said chamber, a valve in said air inlet constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when, the suction means is operative and to automatically move to open position when the suction means is inoperative, and means controlled by the liquid segregated in said chamber for controlling the operation of said suction means.

I 9. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator having a liquid receiving chamber for efiecting the gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator, said chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet for the heavier liquid, and a second outlet for the lighter liquid, a conduit connecting said inlet to said source, a valve in the first outlet for controlling the discharge of the heavier liquid from. said chamber, a float disposed within said chamber and operatively connected to said valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve in response to the level of the liquid of heavier specific gravity segregated in said chamber, suction means connected to said chamber by the second outlet for feeding the nonmiscible liquids into the segregator chamber through saidconduit and inlet and withdrawing the liquid of lighter specific gravity from said chamber through said second out1et,- electromotive means for operating said suction means, and means operated by said float for controlling said electromotive means.

10. In a, segregator having a liquid receiving chambervfor efiecting the gravitational segregation of non-miscibile liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator from a source of supply, said chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet for the heavier liquids, and a second outlet for the lighter liquids, a float in said chamber responsive to the rise and fall in level of the segregated 0nd outlet for establishing the flow of liquids through the segregator, means for admitting air into said liquid chamber, said air admitting means including an air inlet into said chamber, and suction responsive valve means in said air inlet constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position sealing said chamber against atmosphere when the suction means is operative, and to automatically move to open position admitting air to' said chamber when said suction pump is inoperative so that the discharge from said chamber of liquid of heavier specific gravity from the liquid of lighter specific .gravity may be effected, electrically controllable means for controlling said suction pump, and. electric means comprising a switch in circuit with said electrically controllable means and a link mechanism operatively connecting said float to said switch to break said circuit in a predetermined position of said float.

11. In combination with the segregator comprising a float chamber for eflecting the gravitational segregation of' non-miscible liquids of difierent specific gravity flowing through the segregator, said chamber having a first outlet for the heavier liquids and; a second outlet for the lighter liquids, a float operated mechanism disposed within said'fioat chamber and cooper- P ating with said outlets to intermittently effect the gravitational discharge of the heavier liquids, a storage chamber positioned above said float chamber and having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, and a conduit for the lighter liquid projecting upwardly from said fioat chamber into said storage chamber, said storage chamber having means to permit a gravitational flowl of heavier liquid from said storage chamber to said fioat chamber restricted to a rate substantially in accordance with the rate of flow of heavier liquids from said first outlet.

12. Ina liquid supply system a segregator for effecting an automatic segregation of liquids of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity when said liquids are in a. nonmiscible state, said segregator including a, chamber provided with an inlet port for the nonmiscible liquids and an outlet port for the liquids of lighter specific gravity, 2!. source of liquid supply connected to the inlet port, a pump connected to one of said ports to suction feed the liquids through said inlet port to the chamber of the segregator from said source of supply and to conduct the liquid of lighter specific gravity from the chamber of said segregator through said outlet to the point of delivery, means for admitting air into said chamber when the pump is inoperative, said air admitting means includingan air passage from said chamber to atmosphere and valve means in said air passage constructed and arranged for movement to closed position atmospherically sealing said segregator chamber when the suction pump is operative.

13. In a segregator mechanism adapted to automa-tically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids are suction fed therethrough and normally stratify, means providing a liquid receiving chamber having an inlet opening for the liquids, a first outlet opening for the liquid of lighter specific gravity and a second outlet opening for'the liquid of heavier specific gravity, said chamber being in communication with the atmosphere through said second outlet opening, suction means connected with the first outlet opening for suction feeding the liquids through said chamber, and valve means controlling the second outlet opening and responsive to the suction pressure produced by said suction means in said chamber, said valve means being constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position closing said chamber to atmosphere when the suction means is operative and to antomatically move to open position opening said second outlet to permit the discharge of accumulated liquid of heavier specific gravity from said chamber when the suction means is inoperative.

14. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply .to the inlet of said casing and a non-return valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a liquid delivery pipe, a suction pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of said casing and having an outlet connected to said delivery p pe to suction feed first the liquids from said source of supply to said casing, and suction feed the liquid of lighter specific gravity from said casing and then force said liquid of lighter specific gravity through said delivery pipe to a point of delivery, means for discharging a liquid of heavier specific gravity from said segregator casing and means operated by the segregated liquid of heavier specific gravity as the level thereof in said casing varies for automatically controlling said discharge means.

15. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing and anon-return valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a suction pump connected to said outlet to feed first the liquids from said source of supply -to said casing, and thence the liquid of lighter specific gravity to a point of delivery, an electric motor for driving said pump and means for discharging the segregated liquid of heavier specific gravity from said segregator casing, said discharge means including means providing an outlet for the heavier liquid and a control valve in said outlet and means opera-ted by the segregated liquid of heavier specific gravity as the level thereof in said casing varies for opening said valve to permit discharge of the liquid of heavier specific gravity, and electrical means controlled by said liquid level responsive means for stopping said motor upon accumulation of the heavier liquid to said predetermined level.

16. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing and a non-return'valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighterspecific gravity, a suction pump connected to said outlet to feed first .the liquids from said source of supply .to said casing, and thence the liquid of lighter specific gravity to a point of delivery, an electric motor for driving said pump, and electrical control means operated by the segregated liquid of ply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighterspecifi-c gravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing and a nonreturn valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a suction pump connected to said outlet :to feed first the liquids from said source of supply to said casing, and thence the liquid of lighter specific gravity to a point of delivery, an electric motor for driving said pump, and electrical control means operated by the segregated liquid of heavier specific gravity as said heavier segregated liquid accumulates in said segregator casing to a predetermined level for altering the driving relation between the motor and the pump.

18. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids normally stratify,

said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing and a non-return valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a suction pump connected to said outletthe level thereof in said casing varies for breaking said control circuit to stop said motor when the heavier liquid is above a predetermined level and to make said control circuit to start said motor when the heavier liquid is below said predetermined level.

19. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a. segregator positioned above said source of supply and including a liquid receiving casing adapted to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid or lighter specificgravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing and a non-return valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a liquid delivery pipe, a suction pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of said casing and having an outlet connected to said delivery pipe to suction feed first the liquids from said source of supply to said casing, and suction feed the liquid. or lighter specific gravity from said casing and then force said liquid of lighter specific gravity through said delivery pipe to a point of delivery, means for discharging the segregated liquid of heavier specific gravity from said segregator casing, said means including a discharge port and shiftable closure means for opening and closing said discharge port.

20. In combination, a segregator comprising a first chamber for effecting the gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravity, said chamber having a first discharge outlet to atmosphere for the liquid of heavier specific gravity and-a second outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber and controlling said first outlet, a. storage chamber positioned abovesaid first chamber, said storage chamber having an inlet for the liquids, vent means including a stand pipe in said storage chamber and opening at its bottom into said first chamber to facilitate the segregation of the heavier liquid in the storage chamber and the flow of the lighter liquid into the first chamber, suction mechanism. in communication with said chambers to establish a fiow of liquids through said chambers, and valve means in the first outlet and constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when the suction mechanism is operative, thereby to close said first outlet to atmosphere, and to automatically move to open position when the suction mechanism is inoperative, thereby to open said first outlet to atmosphere, said vent 'means also comprising a restricted port in the bottom of the storage chamber and opening into the float chamber to permit a restricted gravitational fiow of the heavier liquid from the bottom of said storage chamber to said first chamber at a rate substantially in accordance with the rate of flow of the heavier liquid from said first discharge outlet of the first chamber whereby substantially all of the liquid of heavier specific gravity accumulated in said storage chamber and said first chamber is discharged in a single continuous operation after the suction mechanism has stopped operation.

21. The combination with a segregator having a mechanism adapted to segregate non-miscible liquids of different specific gravities flowing through the segregator from a source of supply, said mechanism including a segregating chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet for the heavier liquid, a second outlet for the lighter liquid, a valve in thefirst outlet through which the heavier liquid is discharged, means operated by the heavier segregated liquid as the level thereof in said chamber varies for opening and. closing said valve, suction means connected to the second outlet of the segregating chamber for withdrawing the liquid of lighter' specific gravity from the chamber, an air inlet into the segregating chamber, and valve means in said air inlet and responsive to the degree of vacuum in the segregating chamber, said valve means being constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when the suction means is operative and to automatically move to open position when the suction means is inoperative.

22. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator having a mechanism adapted to segregate non-miscible liquids of different speoific gravities flowing through the segregator from the source of supply,'said mechanism including a segregating chamber having an inlet for'the non-miscible liquids, a. first outlet for the heavier liquid,- a second outlet for the lighter liquid, a conduit connecting said inlet to said source of supply, a valve in the first outlet through which the heavier liquid is discharged, control means operated by the heavier segregated liquid as the level thereof in said chamber varies for opening and closing said valve, suction means in communication with said segregating chamber through said second outlet for feeding the liquids from the source of supply into the segrethe suction means is inoperative, an auxiliary air passage in communication with said segregating chamber, a second valve in said auxiliary air passage, and means including said control means for operating said second valve by the heavier segregated liquid as the level thereof in said chamber varies to accelerate the opening of the first valve in the main air passage.

23. In a liquid supply system, a source of sup ply, a segregator having a liquid receiving chamher for effecting a gravitational segregation of non-miscible liquids of different specific gravitles flowing through the chamber from the source of supply, said chamber having an inlet for the non-miscible liquids, a first outlet for the heavier liquids, and a second outlet for the lighter liquids, a conduit connecting said inlet to said source, a float operated valve mechanism disposed within said chamber for controlling the first outlet, suction means in communication with said chamber through the second outlet for feeding the nonmiscible liquids into said chamber through said conduit and inlet and withdrawing the liquid of lighter specific gravity from said chamber through said second outlet, an air inlet into said chamber, valve means in said air inlet and responsive to the suction pressure in said chamber, the valve means in said air inlet being constructed and arranged to automatically move to closed position when the suction means isoperative, mean-s operatively connected to said float operated valve mechanism for controlling the second outlet to shut off communication between the chamber and the suction means when the first outlet is open, said valve means being constructed and arranged to automatically move to open position when communication between the chamber 1 'and the suction means is shut ofi.

'24. In a liquid supply system, a source of sup, ply, a segregator positioned above said source of ,1 supply including a liquid receiving casing adapted gravity, which liquids normally stratify, said casing having an inlet, a supply pipe connecting said source of supply to the inlet of said casing, a nonreturn valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a fiow line including said outlet, a liquid delivery pipe, a suction pump having an inlet connected to the outlet of said casing through said flow line and having an outlet connected to said delivery pipe to suction feed first the liquids from said source of supply through the supply pipe to said casing and suction feed the liquid of lighter specific gravity from said casing through said flow line and then force the liquid of lighter specific.

gravity through said delivery pipe to the point of delivery, valve means in the flow line, means operated by the liquid of heavier specific gravity when accumulated in said casing to a predetermined level for automatically closing said valve source of supply to the inlet of said casing and a non-return valve in said pipe, said casing having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a suction pump connected to said outlet to feed first the liquids from said source of supply to said casing, and thence the liquid of lighter specific gravity to a point of delivery, said segregator casing having an outlet for the liquid of heavier specific gravity, a valve controlling said outlet, an electric motor for driving said pump, an energizing circuit for said motor, and means operated by the liquid of heavier specific gravity as the level thereof in said segregator' casing varies for automatically respectively breaking and making said circuit and operating said valve, to stop said motor and open the valve when the heavier liquid is above a predetermined level in the segregator casing, and to maintain the motor energized and the valve closed when the heavier liquid is below a predetermined level in the segregator casing.

26. In a liquid supply system, a source of supply, a segregator positioned above said source of supply and including means forming a chamber adapted :to automatically segregate a liquid of heavier specific gravity from a liquid of lighter specific gravity, which liquids normally stratify, an inlet pipe connecting said source of supply to said chamber and having a nonreturn valve, said chamber having an outlet for the liquid of lighter specific gravity, a liquid delivery pipe, a suction pump having an inlet connected to said outlet of the chamber and having an outlet connected to said delivery pipe to suction feed first the liquids from said source of supply to said chamber and suction feed the liquid of lighter specific gravity from said chamber and then force the liquid of lighter specific gravity through said delivery pipe to the point of delivery, said segregator chamber having an outlet for the liquid 01 heavier specific gravity, and means controlling said outlet.

DAVID SAMIRAN. 

